Knockdown display-lid.



P. A. BECKER.

KNOCKDOWN DISPLAY LID.

APPLICATION FILED H1315. 1913.

Patented Dec. 9, 1913.

l/VVENTR PHILIP A. BECKER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

KNOCKDOWN DISPLAY-LID.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec.. 9, 1913.

Application led February 15, 1913. Serial No. 748,595.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Pi-iicir A. BECKER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful 1mprovement in Knockdown Display-Lids, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to a class of devices adapted for use in conjunction with cigar boxes.

My invention has for its object primarily to provide a form of display lid designed to be employed upon the open top of a cigar box whereby the product-s of tobacco contained therein will be prevented from having the natural moisture thereof evaporated by contact with the air, and prevented from collecting dust when displayed for sale as is incident to the methods ordinarily in use for selling cigars and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display lid wherein is employed a plate of glass, or other' transparent material which is mounted in the frame of a formation adapted to permit the glass to be easily applied thereto, or removed therefrom so as to allow the frame to be sold and transported separately of the glass, thus saving a great expense in cost of transportation especially when shipped in large numbers to distant points.

Other objects of the invention are to provide upon the frame two rigid holding members, or clamps adapted to removably engage the side edges of the lid of the box whereby the display lid may be swung from and upon the open top of the body of the box by moving the lid; to provide a detachable brace for holding the clamps against displacement when engaging the lid; and to provide one or more arms, or fingers which serve to permit the lid to be opened, or closed upon the box independently of any movement of the lid.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient form of frame which is susceptible of being made in various sizes by stamping it from a single strip of metal.

Tith these and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification, and will then be pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cigar box with one form of my knockdown display lid applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the display lid showing the manner of detachably applying a plate of glass to the frame thereof. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing how the frame of the lid is formed from a single strip of sheet metal. Fig. 4 is a reverse view of a fragment of the part shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view, partly in section, and partly fragmentary, of one of the clamps for removably holding the lid to a box lid. Fig. 6 is another perspective view, partly fragmentary, of the clamp, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a form of brace employed in conjunction with the display lid.

rlhe knockdown display lid, or device has a frame 10 which is preferably made of a size to lit snugly, but may be freely movable between the upper extending edges 11 and 12 of the side walls of a cigar box, as 13, having a lid 14C hinged to its rear wall, as shown in Fig. 1, of the drawing.

The frame 10 has two side bars 15 and 16 which are spaced apart in parallel arrangement, and said side bars have opposed longitudinal grooves 17 and 18, both of which are provided by forming correspondingly disposed iianges 19 and 20 upon the lengthwise edges of each of the side bars. Transversely of one end of the grooved side bars 15 and 16 is a cross-bar 21 also having a longitudinal groove 22 in communication with the grooves 17 and 18, and said groove 22 is provided by forming correspondingly disposed flanges 23 and 2li upon the lengthwise edges of the cross-bar. Between the opposite ends of the side bars 15 and 16 is thereby provided a space for admitting a plate of glass, or other transparent material, as 24?, into the grooves 17, 18, 22 of the bars 15, 16, 21, respectively, so as to form the lid proper of the device.

Upon the free end of the grooved side bar 15 of the frame is an angularly disposed holding member, or clamp 25 having a groove 26 therein which is provided like the grooves of the side bars and the cross-bar by forming correspondingly disposed flanges 27 and 28 upon the lengthwise edges of said clamp. On the free end of the grooved side bar 16 is a similar angularly disposed holding member', or clamp 29 having a groove 30 which is also provided by forming correspondingly disposed flanges 31 and 32 upon the lengthwise edges thereof. The frame 10 is held upon the open top of the body of the box in a manner to be hingedly swung to opened or closed positions thereupon by guiding the side edges of the lid of the box in the grooves 26 and 30 of the holding members, or clamps 25 and 29. By then moving the lid backwardly of the body of the box the frame will be directed to an open position, and by reversely moving the lid the :trame will be closed upon the body of the box.

Serving to hold the clamps 25 and 29 to the lid of the boxespecially in event of any expansion of the flanges of the clamps after frequent use, through the flange 28 of the clamp 25 is a threaded opening 33, and through the flange 32 of the clamp 29 is a threaded opening 34. 1n one or both of the threaded openings 33 and 34 may be threaded a thumb screw, as 35, adapted to be suitably adjusted for closely engaging the lid of the box.

In order to permit the frame 10 and the clamps 25 and 29 to be easily and durably made, I prefer to form these parts integrally from sheet metal, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Through the medium of a suitable die, a single strip of sheet metal is stamped whereby two alined V-shaped notches, as 36 and 36a, are cut-out in `one part of the longitudinal edges of the strip. At a distance from the notches 36 and 36a the longitudinal edges of the strip arealso cut-out to provide alined V-shaped notches 37 and 37a. Between the alined notches 36 and 36a and one of the free ends of the strip one of the edges there-- of is cut-out to form a deeper substantially V-shaped notch 38. Between the `alined notches 37 and 37a and the opposite free end of the strip one of its edges is cut-out to also provide a deep substantially V-shaped notch 39. Both of the longitudinal edges of the strip of metal are struck upwardly so as to form the flanges and grooves of the bars of the frame as well as forming the flanges and grooves of the clamps. By bending the strip transversely of the apices of the alined V-shaped notches 36 and 36a the side bar 15 is formed when this portion is guided to a right angle with relation to the strip. The cross-bar 21 is also provided at the same time, and the side bar 16 s provided by likewise bending the strip transversely of the apices of' the alined V-shaped notches 37 and 37a so that the bar 16 will be disposed ata right angle to the cross-bar. By then bending or curving one end of the strip at the deep V-shaped notch 38 so that this end'l is directed angularlyupwardly with respect to the sidebar 15 the holding member, or clamp 25 is formed, and by bending or curving the other endy of the strip at the deep V- shaped notch 39 so that said end is correspondingly guided, the holding member, or clamp 29 is provided.

Then .it is desired to dispense with the use of the thumb screws 35, and for the purpose of holding the clamps 25 and 29 against movement when engaging the lid of the box as well as serving to permit a sign to be used in conjunction with the lid, a removable brace, as 40, is provided. The brace 40 consists of an elongated front plate 41 upon which may be indicated a suitable sign. Atene end of said front plate is a sleeve 42 which is formed by bending to a right angle one of the end portions of the plate, and this `bent part is likewise bent so as to be in spaced relation to said front plate. On the opposite end of the front plate 41 is a second sleeve 43 which is similarly formed by bending this end portion of the plate to a right angle, and then bending the bent part so as to also be disposed in spaced relation to the front plate. The sleeves 42 en 43 are slightly larger than the clamps 25 and 29 so as' to be adapted to encompass the clamps when the brace is removably applied to the lid of the box. rilhe clamps will thereby be held against movement to the lid, and upon the lower edge of the front plate 41 may be formed an angularly bent strip, or flange 44 adapted to rest upon the side bars of the frame 10, or said flange may be soldered or otherwise secured to the side bars, if desired.

As a means adapted to permit the lid to be opened or closed upon the box independently of any movement of the lid, and

permitting the clamps 25 and 29 to be dispensed with if desired, extending from the side bar 15 of the frame at its juncture with the clamp 25 is an arm, or linger 45 which may be in the form of a piece of wire having one of its ends solderedto the side bar, and having the other end vthereof twisted to provide a knob, as 46. Projecting from the side bar 16 at its juncture with the clamp 25 is a second arm, or finger 47 which may also be inthe formof a piece of wire having one of its ends soldered to the side bar, and having its opposite end twisted to provide a knob, as 48. l the lingers either the knob 46, or the knob 48 and moving the arm thereof in a downward direction the lid will be swung to open the top of the box, and the lid may be closed upon the box by reverselydirecting the arm.

may be transported in large quantities to distant points separately of the glass plates, and when each frame is applied to a box By gripping between It iS evident that a framel and its associate parts, as above described,

the transparent plate may be readily applied thereto by inserting it into the grooves of the side bars 15, 16 and the cross-bar 21.

1n the foregoing description, 1 have embodied the preferred form of my invention, but i do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as 1 am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the principle, or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, therefore 1 reserve to myself the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope thereof.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. 1n a knock down display lid adapted to be applied upon a box having an open top and a hinged lid thereon, a frame comprising a front cross bar and two side bars integrally formed with the front bar, and having a continuous channel formed in the inner side of each part of said frame, said channel being adapted to removably admit a plate of glass, or other transparent material to serve as a cover, and a holding member integrally formed with each of the said side bars of the frame at the rear end thereof, each of said holding members having a channel on the inner side thereof adapted to admit the edge of the hinged lid of the box, whereby the fra-me and the transparent plate may be swung to open or closed positions upon the box when the box lid is moved accordingly.

2. 1n a knock down display lid adapted to be applied upon a box having an open top and a lid hinged thereon, a frame comprising a front cross-bar, two side bars having one of the ends thereof integrally formed with the front bar, and two holding clamps, one integrally formed upon the rear end of each side bar, said frame having a continuous channel provided in the inner surface thereof for admitting a transparent plate, and said clamps each having a channel therein adapted to admit one of the side edges of the hinged lid, whereby the frame and the transparent plate may be swung to open or closed positions upon the box when the box lid is moved accordingly.

ln a knock down display lid adapted to be applied upon a box having a lid hinged thereon, a frame adapted to be movably positioned upon the box in the place of said lid when the lid is open, said frame comprising a front bar and two side bars integrally fo-rmed with the ends of the front bar, each of said side bars having a clamp integrally formed therewith and upon the opposite end thereof, said clamps being disposed at an angle with relation to the side bars, and said clamps having each a channel therein adapted to admit one of the side edges to the hinged lid of the box and support it in an upright position, and said side bars and front cross bar being adapted to removably retain a transparent plate upon the box in the place of the hinged lid when the lid is open, and means provided on said clamps for detachably securing the clamps upon the lid.

4. 1n a knock down display lid adapted to be applied upon a box having a hinged lid thereon, an integrally formed frame of channel metal having three inclosed sides, and one ope-n side, said frame serving as a retaining means for a transparent plate to serve as a. cover for the box when the lid is open, and said frame having integrally formed channel-metal supports adapted to support the lid of the box at a desired angle relatively to the frame, and a removable plate extending across the lid of the box and serving to display a sign thereon, said plate having at each end thereof a groove adapted to admit the side edges of the lid of the box, whereby said plate may be disposed upon the box lid in a manner so as to secure the supports provided upon the channelmetal frame.

in a knock down display lid, adapted to be applied to the open top of a box having a lid hinged thereon, an integrally formed frame of channel-metal having a front bar, two side bars, and an open rear, the channel of said frame forming a groove in the inner surface thereof, and said groove being adapted to admit and removably retain a transparent plate which is inserted from the rear opening of the frame, each of said side bars having a clamp integrally formed upon the rear end thereof, and both of the clamps being disposed at an angle with relation to the side bars, said clamps being made of channel-metal, and each having a groove to admit one of the side edges of the lid of the box whereby the lid may be held at an angle relatively to the transparent plate when open, and an arm held upon each of said side bars, whereby the transparent plate may be hingedly swung to open or closed positions upon the box.

rlhis specification signed and witnessed this fourteenth day of February A. D. 1913.

PHILIP A. BE CKER.

Witnesses:

Roni'. B. ABBOTT, M. DERMODY.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

